Have your bathroom towels started giving signs of musty, mould smells? Noticing musty smells from your bathroom towels even after several washes is very common. We often accidentally leave them in washing machines overnight, which is a major reason for such smells. Nobody’s perfect, after all. For some people, the best solution is to throw them into the washing machine again, hoping for the musty smell to disappear, but to no avail. Instead of blaming yourself, read our handy guide to learn a few helpful tips on dealing with stinky bath towels!
Why Do Towels Develop Mould and Musty Smells?
There are different reasons why your towel has started giving musty smells. This can result from poor airflow, improper drying, and excessive water use. If the bathroom towels remain damp for too long, mildew and germs can proliferate, causing the towels to smell bad. Conversely, using too much fabric softener or soap could also cause build-up. This build-up can also trap germs and water into towel pieces. Moulds can grow faster when towels are stored in poorly ventilated or damp places. Washing at low temperatures will never help eliminate germs embedded in them. The best solution is to wash them often with hot water, dry them properly and store them in airy, dry places.
Natural Ways to Properly Dry Towels to Avoid Musty Smells
Vinegar and Baking Soda Wash for Freshness
Adding a cup of baking soda or white vinegar during the wash cycle can bring magic to all those towels with a musty smell. Baking soda helps to break down the detergent build-up and vinegar neutralises the odour. This DIY solution ensures towels dry up properly and stay clean without leaving any stinking smells.
Sun Drying for Natural Freshness
Direct sunlight is the greatest way to quickly dry towels while hanging them. This will stop musty smells from developing in addition to helping in drying. Its UV rays help eliminate mildew and bacteria, enabling the towels to remain fresh and clean.
Essential Oils for a Fresh Scent
Add a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus to a cloth once the towels have dried completely. To get a fresh aroma, put it in the dryer. These oils have inherent antibacterial qualities to prevent smelly smells and give a pleasant scent. It also stops mould development during drying out.
DIY Fabric Softener for Softness and Freshness
The easiest way to keep your towels for bathroom smooth and fresh is to make your DIY fabric softener. Add one cup of white vinegar, half a cup of baking soda, and a few drops of essential oils mix. Add this mixture throughout the washing cycle to keep the towel fresh, clean, and free from mildew or odour. One does not require commercial fabric softeners after using this solution.
Use a DIY Dehumidifier for Faster Drying
Making a homemade dehumidifier will help you most if you want to dry towels indoors. One can make it with baking soda or silica gel. They function as naturally occurring moisture absorbs to lower humidity in the drying chamber. This finally accelerates the drying process and helps stop musty aromas from arising.
Quick Drying with Salt
Last, we have the method of quick drying with salt. Soaking them in a solution of dissolved salt and hot water is an excellent idea. Soak it for a maximum of an hour before washing. Salt is a natural deodoriser, helpful in absorbing moisture. It ensures that the bathrobe cotton terry towel don’t retain odours and dry quickly.
Pro-Tips to Avoid Towels From Stinking in Future
After every use, the towels are prone to musty and mouldy conditions. The ideal fix is to fully dry them. Hang towels in a well-ventilated space, or always run a dryer on high heat. Never let too many towels in a dryer at once; this will never help them dry. Better still, always dry them in smaller groupings. After every usage, the dryer always performs better if you clear the lint trap.
Wash towels in hot water to eliminate mildew and germs that could generate scents. Away from bathroom or moist spaces, please place them in a cool, well-ventilated, dry environment. Proper storage and drying of towels thus allow them to remain fresh and free from musty aromas.
FAQs: Common Questions People Ask
- Should you air-dry towels or use a dryer?
Both methods can work best. High heat settings on a dryer will assist in avoiding musty aromas and mould. The air drying technique is also quite successful if done in a well-ventilated place, although it could take longer.
- How to prevent towels from stiffing after drying?
To avoid towels from stiffing, restrict the use of fabric softener. Do not over-dry them. Fluffing them in a dryer for a few minutes can also work best.
- Should I hang towels to dry immediately after use?
Â
Hanging towels soon after use can help with quick drying. It also reduces the chance of mould or mildew build-up. Do not leave them in damp bathroom space.
- How to dry towels in humid conditions?
The most efficient way to fast dry towels in humid surroundings is with a dryer. Likewise, the drying process can speed up using dehumidifiers, well-ventilated areas or fans.
Discover the Perfect Towel Collection with Sweet Needle
Get your hands on the Sweet Needle premium towel collection, known for long-lasting and comfortable qualities. Due to top-notch materials, our towels are very absorbent and soft to use daily. With beautiful colours and textures, you can turn your bathroom into a spa-like haven. We promise to give you the quality that lasts and holds up after every wash. Pick your favourite towel pieces from our versatile super soft towels collection right now.